Penang, Malaysia | Asia Samachar | 8 June 2015
Perak emerged as overall champions for the first time in the 64 years history of the Gurdwara Cup that ended over the weekend in Penang, Malaysia.
The state which gave birth to the games took home the champion’s trophy after notching 20 points at the the 64th Gurdwaras Cup & Sikh Festival Of Sports 2015.
They managed to wrestle the helm from the Kuala Lumpur (KL) team, represented by Aman Club, traditionally the strongest team at the annual Sikhs games for Malaysia and Singapore. KL were the defending overall champions for 2014.
“Unlike in the past, we took a full contingent to the games this year. We managed to raise the necessary funding. That made a huge difference,” Perak Sikh Union (PSU) president Gurjeet Singh Rhande told Asia Samachar.
“It was a proud moment for Perakians as this cup was first started 64 years ago by Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh.”
Gurjeet estimated that the Perak team had spent in between RM40,000 to RM50,000 for the games, which include logistic, training. jerseys and opening ceremony attire.
The games organised by Malaysian-Singapore Sikh Sports Council (MSSSC), with its state affiliates, were participated by nine teams: Perak, Kedah, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Singapore and PDRM Police.
Johore won the Hockey Senior Fair Play Trophy, Perak the Soccer Senior Fair Play Trophy while Penang took home the Netball Fair Play Trophy, according to results posted on the games Facebook page.
Perak made a clean sweep of the Women’s Golf Championship when they won all the first three places.
In the final tally, Perak emerged overall champions by a mere one point, thanks to the bronze medal secured by its men under-18 hockey team. Perak beat Selangor at penalty shootout after a scoreless draw for third the placing.
“We lost hockey, but we managed to grab the overall champion’s trophy for the first time. That was sweet,” said Jaswinder Singh who led the senior hockey team to a gold medal in the 2013 games.
RESULTS OF THE GAMES:
Golf: 1. Perak 2. Singapore 3. Selangor
Badminton: 1. Negeri Sembilan 2. Perak 3. Selangor
Netball: 1. Selangor 2. KL 3. Penang
Soccer Juniors: 1. Perak 2. KL 3. Selangor
Soccer Seniors: 1. KL 2. Perak 3. Negeri Sembilan
Hockey Juniors: 1. KL 2. Negeri Sembilan 3. Perak
Hockey Seniors: 1. KL 2. RMPSSA (Police) 3. Perak
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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